Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their tasks would comprise the lifting and moving of supplies and loads from one area to another. They must be trained to utilized the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Drivers should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck drivers perform a daily pre-shift forklift inspection. Lift truck driver training should include the proper performance of safety checks to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift drivers perform tasks related to unloading and loading materials in a safe and timely method. This responsibility also involves the stacking of goods in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The responsibilities of a lift truck driver could include weighing the supplies that are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They should make certain that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse and orders are accurate.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck operator must have exceptional skills in attention and awareness to safety. Operators must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The driver will have to find the safest way to handle challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator must determine the route that is the safest. A driver's training will involve learning about the elements that may cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver should be very familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit which they are operating. A forklift driver should be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent exhaustion. Forklift accidents are more likely to happen when a driver is exhausted.